College Football Playoff

Today was the semifinal games of the 1st ever college football playoffs and one game was a blowout and the other game was not decided until the last second. In the Rose Bowl, Oregon caused 5 turnovers and dominated Florida State 59 to 20. The Ducks proved that they are tougher than the experts predicated. Marcus Mariota showed why he was the Heisman Trophy winner by going 26-36 for 338 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, plus 8 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Jameis Winston had a good game throwing for 348 yards and a touchdown, but couldn’t overcome 5 turnovers that led to 34 Oregon points. That ended Florida State’s 29 game winning streak and their chance to repeat as National Champions.

In the Sugar Bowl, it looked like that Alabama was going to runaway with the game leading 21 to 6, but Ohio State cut the deficit to 21 to 20 at halftime. Then in the Buckeyes opening series of the second half Cardale Jones hit Devin Smith for a touchdown to give Ohio State a 28-21 lead. Steve Miller returned a Blake Sims interception 41 yards for a touchdown to give them a 35 to 21 lead. Then late in the 3rd quarter, Sims scored on a 5 yard run to cut the Ohio State lead to 34 to 28. Then with 4:25 left in the 4th quarter Ezekiel Elliot scored on a 85 yard touchdown run to give the Buckeyes a 42 to 28. However, a 51 yard pass from Sims to Deandre White set up a 4th down touchdown pass to Amari Cooper to cut the lead to 42 to 35. Alabama failed to recovered an off side kick, but made a defensive stand and one more chance to tie the game. Sims pass was intercepted by Tyvis Powell, and Ohio State won 42 to 35. This set up the National title game on Jan 12th between Ohio State versus Oregon, and it will be an exciting game.